Papa's MKIV Roadster Build - #9115 (Post Grad) - One million + views!!!

[Papa]

Fun For For You Or Jeff?

I'm sure you'll be extremely happy when you get the car back from Sir Jeff.

I don't think either of us will be having much fun. Jeff gets to do all the work, and I have to endure the wait. No question I'll be happy with the car when it's done though.

[Papa]

This is the best build thread I’ve ever seen. My 12 year old daughter and I studied it so she could get an idea of the project in front of us. Thanks and congrats!

Thanks for the kind words!

[Tom Welch]

I found your build thread and hope to learn a lot from it. Looks like your doing great. I'm about to make the plunge in to building one myself. Did you build the buck yourself? Did FF provide you plans for it?

[Papa]

I found your build thread and hope to learn a lot from it. Looks like your doing great. I'm about to make the plunge in to building one myself. Did you build the buck yourself? Did FF provide you plans for it?

Tom,

Thanks! The FFR manual includes plans for building the buck. You can order an electronic version of the manual from FFR for $10. It's worth having even with the printed manual as you can search it!

http://www.factoryfiveparts.com/1507...ital-copy-pdf/

Dave

[ZachT]

Okay, I know my trunk panel isn't the most exciting thing I can be talking about, but here are the final pictures. I drilled and countersank the holes in the panel.



When I attached it to the trunk, all but one screw went in clean. The fiberglass in the flange for the screw at the narrowest portion of the panel (bottom screw in the picture), didn't have anything to bite into.



I'll just use a machine screw in that hole.

Finally, I covered the two fuel tank access covers with carpet and replaced all the screws for the cover plates with black oxide button head screws.



Other than getting the bulb seal on, the trunk is done. I will still need to drill for the back leg of the roll bars, but want to wait until they are permanently installed since I'm using the Tangent hidden bolts and don't know exactly where the tubing will bottom out on the main hoop.

So Papa - how do you countersink the screw holes? I’m
assuming that there is a countersinking drill bit that corresponds to the size of hardware that you’re using and that you run the bit all the way down and it countersinks as it bottoms out. Is that how it works?

[Papa]

Zach,

Get a countersink bit that will cut the same angle as the angle of the screw head. For the depth, I just set my drill press to stop at the desired depth. If you don't have a drill press, just do a little at a time and test the screw level until you get what you want. I started with pilot holes and then ran the countersink bit. Doing it that way, the bevel will be centered exactly where you want it.

Dave

[ZachT]

Very interesting to see the top installation. Looks like a quality kit.

[GTBradley]

Just found the perfect dash-cam on Amazon for your Roadster Dave

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[Papa]

Very cool name! Another idea for my lisence plate.

Dave

[Papa]

Today I got a progress update from Jeff! He has what he calls the "dry work" done on my car, including knocking down the mold parting lines and finishing the wheel openings. Next will be the gaps and initial mud work. I'll post pictures as I get them, but I'm excited with what Jeff has told me.

[GTBradley]

Progress! I like it! I think I'm in the same place, but no updates or pictures yet for me.

[Papa]

Progress! I like it! I think I'm in the same place, but no updates or pictures yet for me.

I'm expecting a few pictures from Jeff soon. He says to him, they all look the same!

[KDubU]

I'm expecting a few pictures from Jeff soon. He says to him, they all look the same!

But him some more rum and he’ll get down faster.

[Papa]

But him some more rum and he’ll get down faster.

That might work on Miller, but may just put Kleiner to sleep.

[Papa]

I got some pictures today from Jeff. Body is 95% done with fitting and shaping. A couple days to cure, then the body will come off and the Slick Sand will go on. Getting closer to seeing some color!

[GoDadGo]

Jealous, You Bet I Am!

[Racee75]

Papa,
Saw your car today in person... coming along nicely

[Papa]

Papa,
Saw your car today in person... coming along nicely

Thanks! It's pretty exciting to see the progress and knowing it's that much closer to being finished.

Dave

[TMartinLVNV]

Dave, it is great seeing your car nearly finished. It provides some inspiration of what I hope mine will be one day. Your thread is one of the guides I have printed out to amend the FFR manual. I just got the body off last night and am starting the build process. Upper and lower control arms, here I come!

[Papa]

Dave, it is great seeing your car nearly finished. It provides some inspiration of what I hope mine will be one day. Your thread is one of the guides I have printed out to amend the FFR manual. I just got the body off last night and am starting the build process. Upper and lower control arms, here I come!

Thanks, and enjoy the ride! The build experience was awesome.

[BadAsp427]

That is really exciting to see Dave.... It looks so plane with the shinny knocked off... LOL I'm getting excited because I know that mine will be there in the near future as well...

[SSNK4US]

And somebody cut a hole in your hood??!!?!??

I’m so jealous! You gotta be just chomping at the bit.
Any rough ETA? Not that you want to rush a master artist....

Kurt

[Papa]

And somebody cut a hole in your hood??!!?!??

I’m so jealous! You gotta be just chomping at the bit.
Any rough ETA? Not that you want to rush a master artist....

Kurt

Kurt,

No ETA and I'm not even asking. Jeff has been giving me periodic updates and we've chatted a few times since the car has been in his shop. I'm anxious to see it finished, but not to a point that I want Jeff to feel pressured to finish it. I already feel bad that Jeff has had to deal with a couple of other issues with the car. It fouled three plugs again. I'm not sure what is causing that, but will work on it once I get the car back. In the mean time, it means Jeff has to swap out the fouled plugs to get it to run right. Also, he's addressing my front end alignment. Where I had eyeballed it, the front wheels were too far forward and he's going to adjust it to closer to where it should be for me. When I get it back, I'll have the shop that the local Cobra club recommends dial it in. It will be done when it's done and I'm confident it will be everything I hoped it would be. Oh, and I'm glad I didn't have to cut the hole in the hood!

Dave

[cv2065]

Excited for you Dave! I’ll have a week of vacation coming up where I’m going to have most everything buttoned up and ready to roll and get to where you are in the journey. I’m sure yours is going to look great!

[shark92651]

I got some pictures today from Jeff. Body is 95% done with fitting and shaping. A couple days to cure, then the body will come off and the Slick Sand will go on. Getting closer to seeing some color!

When I mounted my hood I could not get it to sit flush with the body along the front edge, especially in the center - the ends were not too bad. Is it a common problem? Is this why there is so much body filler on the nose of the body to correct this?

[Jeff Kleiner]

...Is this why there is so much body filler on the nose of the body to correct this?

No, the large area of filler on the nose is because of a tremendous amount of mold misalignment.

Jeff

[Papa]

When I mounted my hood I could not get it to sit flush with the body along the front edge, especially in the center - the ends were not too bad. Is it a common problem? Is this why there is so much body filler on the nose of the body to correct this?

No, the large area of filler on the nose is because of a tremendous amount of mold misalignment.

Jeff

Jeff is being nice. He told me that I win the prize for the worst MK4 body he's gotten his hands on. I can't imagine what the car would have turned out like had I sent it to a shop that wasn't familiar with these cars.

[Yama-Bro]

Jeff is being nice. He told me that I win the prize for the worst MK4 body he's gotten his hands on. I can't imagine what the car would have turned out like had I sent it to a shop that wasn't familiar with these cars.

This is the exact reason why I'm leaning towards making the trip to Indiana with mine as well. There are a lot of competent painters in my area, but not many that have experience doing the body work to an FFR.

[Papa]

Talked with Jeff and my car should be in Slick Sand Monday or Tuesday!

[stevant]

Nice!!!!!!

[Papa]

Nice!!!!!!

Thanks, Steve. It's getting closer to getting some color.

Dave

[Boydster]

Thats a great feeling, isnt it...

[Papa]

Thats a great feeling, isnt it...

That it is, Boyd. I've been following your thread and loving the theme you've got going.

Dave

[Boydster]

Thank you very much. Looking forward to seeing some color on yours.

[Papa]

Well, I managed to find a way to spend a little more on my build even though the car is 1,100 miles away. Ever since I ordered my kit, I've wondered why I didn't buy the 18" Halibrands. The 17" wheels look great, but the 18" have that little extra cool factor with that fat rear lip. So, I ordered a set today. I'm looking at the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S 1.5 Tires in a 245/40-18 front and 315/30-18 rear. Are there any better matching options that you guys are happy with? Once I get the car back and get the new shoes on, I'll be offering my 17" with Nitto 555 G2 tires for sale.

[BadAsp427]

Dave,
I've been very happy so far with these... I have 8000 miles on them and really like the grip and the wear. Of course I'm not doing any kind of autocross to speak of and I do drive in the rain quite a lot. They really seem to have nice wet grip. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 315/30R18 98 Y

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[Papa]

Dave,
I've been very happy so far with these... I have 8000 miles on them and really like the grip and the wear. Of course I'm not doing any kind of autocross to speak of and I do drive in the rain quite a lot. They really seem to have nice wet grip. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 315/30R18 98 Y

IMG_7506.jpg

IMG_7509.jpg

I had these on another car and liked them. What size are you running on the front?

[BadAsp427]

I had these on another car and liked them. What size are you running on the front?

Michelin PILOT SPORT PS2 - 255/35ZR18/XL 94Y

[Papa]

Michelin PILOT SPORT PS2 - 255/35ZR18/XL 94Y

Thanks, Carl. I've got a set ready to order from my local Discount Tire.

Dave

[RBachman]

I caved in on the 18' wheels during my order. That extra inch isn't cheap and I was attempting to be "frugal" to appease DW, but that lip is too sweet to pass up. Thankfully she approved once seeing the two side by side.